Did You Know How Mechanical Concepts of Fountains Became Known?
Did You Know How Mechanical Concepts of Fountains Became Known? Instrumental to the advancement of scientific technology were the printed letters and illustrated books of the time. They were also the principal method of transmitting useful hydraulic ideas and fountain design ideas throughout Europe. An unnamed French water feature developer came to be an globally renowned hydraulic innovator in the later part of the 1500's. With Royal mandates in Brussels, London and Germany, he started his work in Italy, developing expertise in garden design and grottoes with incorporated and imaginative water hydraulics.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. To demonstrate his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.